CM Vijay Unveils Tamil Nadu Cabinet; Keeps Home, Police

In a significant political upheaval, actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay has assumed office as the ninth Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, marking a historic departure from nearly six decades of alternating rule by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). His political party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), founded in February 2024, achieved a remarkable victory in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. Vijay, popularly known as 'Thalapathy' among his massive fan base, was sworn in on May 10, 2026, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy. This momentous event followed days of intense political negotiations and uncertainty after a hung assembly verdict, where TVK emerged as the single largest party, winning 108 out of 234 seats. To reach the majority mark of 118, TVK secured crucial support from the Indian National Congress, which broke its long-standing alliance with the DMK. Additional backing came from the Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), forming a coalition government. The allocation of portfolios for the new cabinet was approved by Governor Rajendra Arlekar, with Chief Minister Vijay retaining several crucial departments. He will oversee Public, General Administration, Home, District Revenue Officers, Police, Special Programme Implementation, Women Welfare, Youth Welfare, Welfare of Children, Welfare of Aged and Differently Abled Persons, Municipal Administration, and Urban and Water Supply. This move signifies Vijay's intent to maintain direct control over key governance and law enforcement areas. The cabinet comprises a blend of seasoned politicians and new entrants. Veteran politician K.A. Sengottaiyan, who previously served in the AIADMK and joined TVK after his expulsion, has been appointed as the Finance Minister. N. Anand, the General Secretary of TVK and a long-time associate of Vijay, has been allocated the Rural Development ministry. Dr. K.G. Arunraj, a former Indian Revenue Service officer and medical doctor, will head the Health Ministry. Aadhav Arjuna has been entrusted with the Public Works Department and Sports Development, establishing sports as an independent ministry, a departure from previous governmental structures. Other notable allocations include C.T.R. Nirmalkumar for Energy Resources and Law, A. Rajmohan for School Education, Information & Publicity, and Tamil Development (including Archaeology), S. Keerthana as the Industries Minister, and P. Venkataramanan for Food and Civil Supplies. S. Keerthana, at 29 years old, also made headlines as the first woman MLA to win from the Sivakasi constituency in nearly seven decades. Vijay's entry into politics and subsequent victory are considered one of the most significant political developments in Tamil Nadu in decades. His party, TVK, positioned itself as an alternative to the dominant Dravidian parties, focusing on youth, first-time voters, and those seeking change. The party's ideology is rooted in egalitarianism, secularism, and social justice, rejecting associations with right-wing politics. During his swearing-in, Vijay pledged to deliver corruption-free governance, promote secularism and social justice, and implement welfare-focused policies, including 200 units of free electricity for every household and a special task force to combat drug-related crimes and enhance women's safety. His political ascent draws comparisons to former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran, another actor who successfully transitioned into politics and captured the public imagination. The formation of this new government signals a seismic shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, breaking a long-standing duopoly and introducing a new era of governance under the leadership of a popular actor who has successfully translated his cinematic appeal into a formidable political force. The coming years will reveal how Vijay navigates the complexities of state administration and delivers on his electoral promises.

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